I'm guessing that the old, old Contenders (Warren Center era) must have had better barrels. In my olde IHMSA days they were the standard for performance. Most guys shot jacketed bullets in my area, and they are more forgiving in some aspects. The BFs, Rocks, Merrills (I know they're the same), and others were just starting to get a foothold at that point (in my area). I did miserably at long range with my 30/30 Super 14, but won fairly consistently with my 357 & 30 Carbine Contenders in Field Pistol.